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Abstract:

An electromagnet may comprise a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole
piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material
and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The channel
structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall
and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side
walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel
structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is
opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to
an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end
and extend radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be
fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side
walls.

Claims:

1. An electromagnet comprising: a monolithically formed magnetically
susceptible pole piece having a channel structure and a first flange
member, the channel structure having an annular inner side wall, an
annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the
inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the
pole piece, the channel structure being open on a second axial end of the
pole piece that is opposite the first axial end, the first flange member
being coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the
second axial end, the first flange member extending radially from the
channel structure; and a coil assembly fixedly coupled to the channel
structure between the inner and outer side walls.

2. The electromagnet of claim 1, wherein coil assembly extends outwardly
from the second axial end of the pole piece.

3. The electromagnet of claim 1, wherein the pole piece includes a second
flange member that is coupled to an end of the other one of the inner and
outer side walls on the second axial end, the second flange member
extending radially away from the channel structure.

4. The electromagnet of claim 3, wherein the first flange member defines
a first flange surface, the second flange member defines a second flange
surface and the coil assembly defines a coil assembly surface, the first
and second flange surfaces and the coil assembly surface cooperating to
define a contact surface that is flat within 0.25 millimeters and wherein
runout of the contact surface relative to a centerline of the channel
structure is within 0.25 millimeters.

5. The electromagnet of claim 1, wherein the first flange member defines
a flange surface and the coil assembly defines a coil assembly surface,
the flange surface and coil assembly surface cooperating to define a
contact surface that is flat within 0.25 millimeters and wherein runout
of the contact surface relative to a centerline of the channel structure
is within 0.25 millimeters.

6. The electromagnet of claim 1, wherein the first flange member defines
a contact surface that defines a plurality of depressions extending
radially away from the annular inner side wall.

7. An electromagnetic coil assembly comprising: a monolithically formed
magnetically susceptible pole piece having a channel structure and a
first flange member, the channel structure having an annular inner side
wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly
couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial
end of the pole piece, the channel structure being open on a second axial
end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end, the first
flange member being coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side
walls on the second axial end, the first flange member extending radially
from the channel structure and defining a first contact surface; a coil
assembly fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and
outer side walls; and an armature plate defining a second contact
surface, the first contact surface being in contact with the second
contact surface in a first configuration when the coil assembly is
energized so as to inhibit relative motion between the pole piece and
armature plate, the first contact surface being separated from the second
contact surface by a gap in a second configuration when the coil assembly
is de-energized so as to allow relative motion between the pole piece and
armature plate.

8. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 7, wherein the pole piece
includes a second flange member that is coupled to an end of the other
one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end, the second
flange member extending radially from the channel structure and defining
a third contact surface that is in contact with the second contact
surface in the first configuration and is separated from the second
contact surface in the second configuration.

9. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 7, wherein the first
contact surface defines a plurality of depressions extending radially
away from the annular inner side wall.

10. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 7, wherein the armature
plate includes a friction material that defines the second contact
surface.

11. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 10, wherein the armature
plate, pole plate and coil assembly define an empty cavity in the first
configuration.

12. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 10, wherein the coil
assembly defines a third contact surface that is in contact with the
second contact surface in the first configuration.

13. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 12, wherein the pole piece
includes a second flange member that is coupled to an end of the other
one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end, the second
flange member extending radially from the channel structure and defining
a fourth contact surface that is in contact with the second contact
surface in the first configuration and is separated from the second
contact surface in the second configuration.

14. An electromagnetic coil assembly comprising: a monolithically formed
magnetically susceptible pole piece having a channel structure and a
first flange member, the channel structure having an annular inner side
wall, an annular outer side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly
couples the inner and outer side walls to one another on a first axial
end of the pole piece, the channel structure being open on a second axial
end of the pole piece that is opposite the first axial end, the first
flange member being coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side
walls on the second axial end, the first flange member extending radially
from the channel structure; a coil assembly fixedly coupled to the
channel structure between the inner and outer side walls and defining a
first contact surface; and an armature plate defining a second contact
surface, the first contact surface being in contact with the second
contact surface in a first configuration when the coil assembly is
energized so as to inhibit relative motion between the pole piece and
armature plate, the first contact surface being separated from the second
contact surface by a first gap in a second configuration when the coil
assembly is de-energized so as to allow relative motion between the pole
piece and armature plate.

15. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 14, wherein the coil
assembly includes a bonding material that defines the first contact
surface.

16. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 14, wherein the armature
plate includes a friction material that defines the second contact
surface.

17. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 16, wherein the pole piece
includes a second flange member that is coupled to an end of the other
one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end, the second
flange member extending radially from the channel structure.

18. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 14, wherein the pole piece
includes a second flange member that is coupled to an end of the other
one of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end, the second
flange member extending radially from the channel structure.

19. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 14, wherein the armature
plate includes a base portion defining a base plane extending in a radial
direction of the pole piece and an offset portion defining an offset
plane that is parallel to and offset from the base plane, the offset
portion defining the second contact surface.

20. The electromagnetic coil assembly of claim 14, wherein the coil
assembly extends outwardly from the second axial end of the pole piece
such that there is a second gap between the first flange member and the
armature plate in the first configuration.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/232,872 filed Aug. 11, 2009. The disclosure of the
above-referenced application is incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth in detail herein.

INTRODUCTION

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an electromagnet and
electromagnetic coil assembly, and more specifically, to an
electromagnetic coil assembly that may be used to selectively couple and
decouple an element to a rotating shaft.

SUMMARY

[0003] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is
not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0004] In one form, the present teachings provide an electromagnet
comprising a pole piece and a coil assembly. The pole piece may be
monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible material and have a
channel structure and a first flange member. The channel structure may
have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer side wall and an
annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and outer side walls to
one another on a first axial end of the pole piece. The channel structure
may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece that is opposite the
first axial end. The first flange member may be coupled to an end of one
of the inner and outer side walls on the second axial end and extend
radially from the channel structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly
coupled to the channel structure between the inner and outer side walls.

[0005] The present teachings further provide an electromagnetic coil
assembly comprising a pole piece, a coil assembly and an armature plate.
The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible
material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The
channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer
side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and
outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece.
The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece
that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be
coupled to an end of one of the inner and outer side walls on the second
axial end and extend radially from the channel structure. The first
flange member may also define a first contact surface. The coil assembly
may be fixedly coupled to the channel structure between the inner and
outer side walls. The armature plate may define a second contact surface.
The first contact surface may be in contact with the second contact
surface in a first configuration when the coil assembly is energized so
as to inhibit relative motion between the pole piece and armature plate.
The first contact surface may be separated from the second contact
surface by a gap in a second configuration when the coil assembly is
de-energized so as to allow relative motion between the pole piece and
armature plate. In the first configuration, the armature plate, pole
plate and coil assembly may define an empty cavity.

[0006] The present teachings further provide an electromagnetic coil
assembly comprising a pole piece, a coil assembly and an armature plate.
The pole piece may be monolithically formed of a magnetically susceptible
material and have a channel structure and a first flange member. The
channel structure may have an annular inner side wall, an annular outer
side wall and an annular end wall that fixedly couples the inner and
outer side walls to one another on a first axial end of the pole piece.
The channel structure may be open on a second axial end of the pole piece
that is opposite the first axial end. The first flange member may be
coupled to the inner side wall on the second axial end and the second
flange member may be coupled to the outer side wall on the second axial
end. The first flange member may extend radially from the channel
structure. The coil assembly may be fixedly coupled to the channel
structure between the inner and outer side walls and define a first
contact surface. The armature plate may define a second contact surface.
The second contact surface may be in contact with the first contact
surface in a first configuration when the coil assembly is energized so
as to inhibit relative motion between the pole piece and armature plate.
The second contact surface may be separated from the first contact
surface by a gap in a second configuration when the coil assembly is
de-energized so as to allow relative motion between the pole piece and
armature plate.

[0007] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in
this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any
way. Similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying
numerals throughout the various figures.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic coil
assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pole piece of an exemplary
electromagnetic coil assembly constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic coil
assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pole piece of an exemplary
electromagnetic coil assembly constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic coil
assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic coil
assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of an exemplary electromagnetic
coil assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the attractive force at a number of
operating voltages between a pole piece and armature plate on the y-axis
versus separating distance between the pole piece and armature plate on
the x-axis for an electromagnetic coil assembly that does not include a
flange member; and

[0024] FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the attractive force at a number of
operating voltages between a pole piece and armature plate on the y-axis
versus separating distance between the pole piece and armature plate on
the x-axis for the electromagnetic coil assembly of FIG. 10.

[0025] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0026] With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an exemplary
electromagnetic coil assembly according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The
electromagnetic coil assembly 10 may include a pole piece 20, a coil
assembly 30 and an armature plate 40. The electromagnetic coil assemblies
10 described herein may be utilized in a clutch assembly to selectively
couple and decouple an accessory with a rotating shaft, such as those
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/620,023, the disclosure
of which is herein incorporated in its entirety. Such accessories
include, but are not limited to, an engine water pump, an engine vacuum
pump, a vehicle air conditioning pump and a power steering pump. In a
non-limiting example, the armature plate 40 may be a component of an
accessory that is powered by coupling the armature plate 40 with a
rotating shaft in a powered configuration. In an unpowered configuration,
the armature plate 40 may be coupled with a non-rotating pole piece 20
such that the armature plate 40 does not rotate with the rotating shaft
and, thus, the associated accessory is not powered.

[0027] The pole piece 20 may be made of a magnetically susceptible
material such that the pole piece 20 can control the distribution of
magnetic flux generated by the coil assembly 30. With additional
reference to FIG. 3, the pole piece 20 can have a channel structure
including an annular inner side wall 24, an annular outer side wall 26
and an annular end wall 28 that couples the inner and outer side walls
24, 26 to each other. The annular end wall 28 can be located on one axial
end 27 of the pole piece 20. On a second axial end 29 opposite the first
axial end 27, the channel structure may be open. Additionally, the pole
piece 20 may be monolithically formed or, alternatively, formed from a
plurality of individual pieces that are coupled together.

[0028] A flange member 22 can be coupled to the inner side wall 24 (FIGS.
1-5) or outer side wall 26 (FIG. 6) on the second axial end 29. According
to various additional embodiments, a flange member 22 can be coupled to
each of the inner side wall 24 and outer side wall 26 on the second axial
end 29 (FIGS. 7-14). While each of the Figures illustrates one of three
configurations, i.e., inner flange, outer flange and both inner and outer
flange, it is understood that each of the exemplary embodiments may be
modified to include a different flange configuration without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. The flange member 22 can extend
radially from the channel structure, i.e., in the direction of the radius
of the pole piece 20. Further, the flange member 22 may define a flange
surface or contact surface 23. As described more fully below, the flange
or contact surface 23 can be a relatively flat surface that may be used
to contact and frictionally engage the armature plate 40. Further, the
flange or contact surface 23 may be perpendicular to the centerline L of
the channel structure of the pole piece 20. For example only, flange or
contact surface 23 may be flat within 0.25 millimeters and have a runout
relative to centerline L within 0.25 millimeters. In some embodiments,
the flange member 22 can have a stepped design (FIG. 9) in which the
flange surface 23 includes a first portion 22A and a second portion 22B
offset from the first portion 22A.

[0029] One or more finishing processes may be utilized to ensure that the
contact surface 23 is relatively flat, smooth, free of irregularities and
perpendicular to the centerline L of the pole piece 20. Such finishing
operations include, but are not limited to, rapid stamping, impact or
hydraulic coining, punching, flattening, smoothing, milling, grinding,
lathing and burnishing. In addition to these processes, or alternatively,
the contact surface 23 may be coated with a coating 21. For example only,
the coating 21 may be a friction-enhancing coating (such as the products
sold under the brand-name EKagrip® by ESK Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG
(www.esk.com/en)) such that the coating 21 may have a coefficient of
friction greater than the coefficient of friction of the contact surface
23 without a coating 21. Further, the contact surface 23 may define one
or more depressions 25 that extend radially away from the annular inner
side wall 24. These depressions 25 may be formed by stamping, coining,
pressing or other machining process. During operation of the
electromagnetic coil assembly 10, the depressions 25 may collect wear
by-products and other contaminants (water, engine fluids, etc.) and
channel them away from the contact surface 23.

[0030] The coil assembly 30 can be fixedly coupled to the channel
structure of the pole piece 20. The coil assembly 30 may include a
plurality of windings surrounding a core such that magnetic flux is
generated when current is provided to the windings. The coil assembly 30
may also include a bonding material 32, e.g., to surround the plurality
of windings and the core, and/or act as a contact surface 33 for armature
plate 40 as described below. The combination of the pole piece 20 and
coil assembly 30 may be referred to as an electromagnet. The coil
assembly 30 may be fixedly coupled to the pole piece 20 between the
annular inner and outer side walls 24, 26, for example, by the bonding
material 32 or an adhesive, such as glue or epoxy. In some embodiments,
the coil assembly 30 may be in contact the annular end wall 28 on the
first axial end 27. On the second axial end 29 opposite the first axial
end 27, there may be nothing between the coil assembly 30 and the open
end of the pole piece 20 such that the coil assembly 30 is accessible and
open. One or more wires or connectors (not shown) may be utilized to
provide power to the coil assembly 30. The pole piece 20 may define one
or more openings, e.g., in the annular inner side wall 24, annular outer
side wall 26 or annular end wall 28, through which the wires and/or
connectors pass such that power may be provided to the coil assembly 30.

[0031] The armature plate 40 may define a contact surface 43 configured to
selectively contact the pole piece 20, e.g., contact surface 23 of flange
member 22 or coil assembly 30, e.g., contact surface 33. In addition, or
alternatively, to the depressions 25 on the contact surface 23, one or
more depressions (similar to depressions 25) may be formed on a contact
surface 43 of the armature plate 40 to collect wear by-products and other
contaminants (water, engine fluids, etc.) and channel them away from the
contact surface 43. The armature plate 40 may also include a friction
material 45 that defines contact surface 43. The friction material 45 may
be a coating formed on the main portion of the armature plate 40, or may
be a separate member that is bonded or otherwise adhered to the main
portion of the armature plate 40. In one non-limiting example, the
friction material 45 may be a separately formed material (such as the
products sold under the brand-name EKagrip® by ESK Ceramics GmbH &
Co. KG (www.esk.com/en)) that is bonded to the main portion of the
armature plate 40. Friction material 45 may be utilized to obtain the
appropriate friction, durability and/or other properties for contact
surface 43, while also allowing armature plate 40 to have the appropriate
magnetic, strength, durability and/or other properties for efficient
operation of the electromagnetic coil assembly 10.

[0032] As the electromagnetic coil assembly 10 is actuated, the armature
plate 40 may be selectively coupled and decoupled with the pole piece 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows a portion of the exemplary pole
piece 20 with two flange members 22 shown in FIG. 7, the coil assembly 30
may generate a plurality of flux lines 60 when energized. The flux lines
60 may travel through the pole piece 20, across gap 50 and through
armature plate 40. The flux lines 60 can attract and move the armature
plate 40 into contact with the pole piece 20. An empty cavity 55 may be
defined by the pole piece 20, coil assembly 30 and armature plate 40 when
the armature plate 40 is coupled with the pole piece 20. In this manner,
the flux lines 60 may travel through the flange member(s) 22, and not
across the empty cavity, to increase the attractive force between pole
piece 20 and armature plate 40.

[0033] When the coil assembly 30 is energized, electromagnetic coil
assembly 10 may enter a first configuration (FIG. 8) in which the contact
surface 43 of the armature plate 40 contacts the pole piece 20, e.g.,
contact surface 23, the second portion 22B of the contact surface 23
(FIG. 9), and/or contact surface 33. The contact surface 43 may
frictionally engage the contact surface 23 such that relative motion
between the pole piece 20 and armature plate 40 is inhibited. When the
coil assembly 30 is de-energized, electromagnetic coil assembly 10 may
enter a second configuration (FIG. 1) in which the contact surface 43 of
the armature plate 40 is separated from the pole piece 20, e.g., contact
surface 23 and/or contact surface 33, by a gap 50. The gap 50 may permit
relative motion between the pole piece 20 and armature plate 40. The
electromagnetic coil assembly 10 may be biased to be in the second
configuration by a biasing member, e.g., a spring (not shown). In a
non-limiting example, the contact surface 43 may solely contact the
contact surface 23 in the first configuration (see FIGS. 8-9) such that
the pole piece 20, coil assembly 30 and armature plate 40 define empty
cavity 55.

[0034] In various embodiments of the present invention, the coil assembly
30 may include a contact or coil assembly surface 33 that frictionally
engages the contact surface 43 of the armature plate 40 in the first
configuration. In some embodiments, the coil assembly surface 33 may
cooperate with the flange surface 23 to define a contact surface 35 that
contacts the armature plate 40 in the first configuration (FIGS. 10-11).
Alternatively, the coil assembly surface 33 may provide the sole contact
surface between the pole piece 20 and coil assembly 30 in the first
configuration (FIGS. 12-14). In various embodiments, the bonding material
32 may define the coil assembly/contact surface 33. As shown in FIGS.
10-12, the armature plate 40 may include friction material 45 to interact
with and frictionally engage the contact surface(s) 23, 33, 35.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13-14, the armature plate 40 may be
monolithically formed and directly interact with and frictionally engage
the contact surface(s) 23, 33, 35.

[0035] The bonding material 32 may be formed of a non-magnetic material,
such as a polymer or ceramic material. For example only, the bonding
material 32 may be a bulk molding compound, such as DIELECTRITE 48-50 BMC
sold by IDI Composites International (www.idicomposites.com), that is
injection molded into the pole piece 20. In various embodiments, the
bonding material 32 may be a composite material engineered to obtain the
performance characteristics desired for coil assembly surface 33. For
example, the bonding material 32 may include a base material (such as a
plastic resin) with one or more additives (such as carbon or other fibers
or a ceramic material) to change the frictional and/or durability
characteristics of the base material. In some embodiments, a metallic or
magnetic material (such as steel or iron rods) may be added to the base
material and arranged to tune the distribution of flux lines 60 of the
combination of the pole piece 20 and coil assembly 30.

[0036] In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-13, the armature plate
40 may include a base portion 40A and an offset portion 40B. The base
portion 40A may define a base plane 140A that extends in the radial
direction of the pole piece 20. The offset portion 40B may define an
offset plane 140B that extends in the radial direction of the pole piece
20. The offset plane 140B may be parallel and offset from base plane
140A. In this manner, the offset portion 40B may project from the face of
the base portion 140B (as shown in FIGS. 9-13), or may be recessed within
the base portion 140B (not shown). The offset portion 140B may also
define the contact surface 33 such that a gap 52 exists between the
flange member 22 and the armature plate 40 (or base portion of the
armature plate 40) in the first configuration.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the attractive force--at a number
of operating voltages--between pole piece 20 and armature plate 40 (on
the y-axis) versus distance between the contact surface 23 and the
contact surface 33, 43 (on the x-axis) for an electromagnetic coil
assembly that does not include a flange member. FIG. 16 is a similar
graph for the electromagnetic coil assembly 10 of FIG. 10. Referring to
FIG. 15 and the electromagnetic coil assembly without a flange member,
curve 100 corresponds to an operating voltage of nine volts direct
current, curve 102 corresponds to an operating voltage of eleven volts
direct current, curve 104 corresponds to an operating voltage of fourteen
volts direct current, curve 106 corresponds to an operating voltage of
sixteen volts direct current, and curve 108 corresponds to an operating
voltage of eighteen volts direct current. Similarly, referring to FIG. 16
and the electromagnetic coil assembly 10 of FIG. 10, curve 110
corresponds to an operating voltage of nine volts direct current, curve
112 corresponds to an operating voltage of eleven volts direct current,
curve 114 corresponds to an operating voltage of fourteen volts direct
current, curve 116 corresponds to an operating voltage of sixteen volts
direct current, and curve 118 corresponds to an operating voltage of
eighteen volts direct current. As can be seen by comparing these graphs,
the attractive force between the pole piece 20 and armature plate 40 is
higher for a given operating voltage for the electromagnetic coil
assembly 10 of FIG. 10.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the above description is merely
exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure,
its application or uses. While specific examples have been described in
the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood
by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.
Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or
functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein so
that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this
disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be
incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described
otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore,
it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the
specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out
the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the
present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the
foregoing description and the appended claims.